Virginia Tech is off to a strong start in South Carolina, leading Clemson, 7-3, after one quarter.
The Hokies took an early 7-0 lead, marching 58 yards in less than three minutes on their opening possession. It was an impressive beginning to the game, as the defense forced a Clemson three-and-out to hand things over to Logan Thomas. Thomas did it all on the first drive, mixing in the pass and run for the quick first score. The Hokies faced a crucial fourth-and-two inside Clemson territory, but Thomas picked up three yards on a keeper to move the chains.
Two plays later, Thomas hit Corey Fulller coming across the field and the backup wide receiver pushed his way into the end zone for a 29-yard touchdown. It was a nice play by Fuller, as he had to fight through traffic to cover the final five yards and break the plane at the pylon.
On Clemson's second offensive possession, Bud Foster's defense forced a turnover, with safety Michael Cole finding himself in the right place at the right time. Cole slipped and fell as he was crossing the field, but as he lay on his back, a high Tajh Boyd pass over the middle would come right at him and his reflexes went into action to pick it off. An animated gif of the interception:
Thomas kept it humming on the Hokies ensuing possession, hitting his throws inside the numbers and moving Virginia Tech inside the 20-yard line. But this time, on fourth down, the Tigers would stuff Michael Holmes to end the Hokies scoring threat.
The fourth-down stop slowed the Hokies' momentum, and Boyd marched the Tigers the other way to pick up a field goal as time expired.